Reffells' Motor Works radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

1100 man · 11th Mar 2019, 12:00 pm

A friend spotted this yesterday at an antiques fair and wondered what it was.

It says Reffells' Motor Works, Gomshall Surrey No278

I assume it's 1920's. Interestingly, there is a website for the Reffells' family where the Motor Works & Gomshall are mentioned so it must be the same people. No mention of radios though.

Does anyone have any further information about it or the manufacturer?

All the best
Nick

Cobaltblue · 11th Mar 2019, 12:17 pm

Don't know anything about this particular radio but there was often a strong link in the early days of Radio with Garages and Cycle shops.

It may have started with offering battery charging facilities soon entrepreneurial people in the automotive business started offering simple sets often made on the premises.

My Friend has looked quite closely at his family's business that went from bicycles to automotive and then radio in the 1920's and continued at least up to WW2.

Cheers

Mike T

Mike. Watterson · 11th Mar 2019, 5:03 pm

Curry's for instance was a cycle seller charging radio batteries.
Some new models with Lead Acid maybe as late as 1949 as in 1948 maybe a 1/5th off UK had no mains and Lead Acid 2V radios cheaper to run than "All dry" 1.4V types.

I see your friend decided to test the HT the way we used to check PP3's as kids.

ekjdm14 · 11th Mar 2019, 7:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike. Watterson

I see your friend decided to test the HT the way we used to check PP3's as kids.

He looks rather happy considering that his prone position would tend to indicate HT is indeed up!

ms660 · 11th Mar 2019, 7:15 pm

It's Sunny Jim....

I think Fred Dawes (Manchester) started off with bikes.

Lawrence.

11th Mar 2019, 12:00 pm	#1
1100 man Octode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight, & Great Dunmow, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,377	Reffells' Motor Works radio A friend spotted this yesterday at an antiques fair and wondered what it was. It says Reffells' Motor Works, Gomshall Surrey No278 I assume it's 1920's. Interestingly, there is a website for the Reffells' family where the Motor Works & Gomshall are mentioned so it must be the same people. No mention of radios though. Does anyone have any further information about it or the manufacturer? All the best Nick Attached Thumbnails

11th Mar 2019, 12:17 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,875	Re: Reffells' Motor Works radio Don't know anything about this particular radio but there was often a strong link in the early days of Radio with Garages and Cycle shops. It may have started with offering battery charging facilities soon entrepreneurial people in the automotive business started offering simple sets often made on the premises. My Friend has looked quite closely at his family's business that went from bicycles to automotive and then radio in the 1920's and continued at least up to WW2. Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

11th Mar 2019, 5:03 pm	#3
Mike. Watterson Heptode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Limerick, Ireland. Posts: 901	Re: Reffells' Motor Works radio Curry's for instance was a cycle seller charging radio batteries. Some new models with Lead Acid maybe as late as 1949 as in 1948 maybe a 1/5th off UK had no mains and Lead Acid 2V radios cheaper to run than "All dry" 1.4V types. I see your friend decided to test the HT the way we used to check PP3's as kids.

11th Mar 2019, 7:15 pm	#5
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Reffells' Motor Works radio It's Sunny Jim.... I think Fred Dawes (Manchester) started off with bikes. Lawrence.